Discusses the need for school librarians to use multiple selection tools in building suitable library collections and suggests cost effective methods for gaining access to selection tools. Selection aids discussed include bibliographies, book reviews, and catalogs of remainder houses. (CLB)

Examines two databases--MEDLINE and ABI/INFORM--as currently implemented on laserdisk, commercial systems, and local time-sharing in the University of Pennsylvania libraries. The direct costs to the library of installing and operating the three formats are analyzed, and costs and benefits to users are discussed, including comparisons of the…

Most school systems can cut the costs of many of their programs and operations and thereby save an imperiled program or uncover funding for new or expanded programs. Presents examples of creative cost-cutting in plant operations and maintenance, administration, employee benefits, transportation, and teacher employment. (MLF)

A pilot study involving 90 percent of the parents of 200 seventh graders attending two junior high schools evaluated the effectiveness of active versus passive methods of obtaining parental consent. Passive consent can provide a viable alternative to active consent when supplemented by appropriate backup and privacy safeguards. (TJH)

Five tactics used by the University of Massachusetts to make alumni operations effective with minimal cost include assuring the campus administration's commitment to alumni club programming, training chapter volunteers on campus and through regional visits, controlling mailing costs, planning events in a cost-effective manner, and deciding whether…

Uses data from the 1989 Venezuelan Household Survey to assess macropriorities among educational investment in that country. An earnings analysis by educational level reveals persisting, if declining, advantages for the more educated. The cost-benefit analysis indicates that primary education yields the highest returns, whereas higher education…

This study examines the cost and performance of six commercial document suppliers accessible via Online computer Library Center (OCLC), compares their service to traditional interlibrary loan (ILL). Results indicate that, although commercial firms cannot replace ILL, they can add flexibility to a library's plan for document delivery. (Author/AEF)

This commentary on EC 608 301 points out that devotion to the natural science canon of experimental proof in the area of generality testing requires proof procedures that are difficult, expensive, or impossible, but adopting a different canon of proof will not produce the desired certainty about the accuracy of the answer. (JDD)

Describes a telecommunications project in Texas that used inexpensive laptop computers for word processing with classes of low-achieving tenth-grade language arts students. Highlights include parent involvement; student writing processes; telecommunication with other students via the Texas Education Network (TENET); database use; and student…

The experience of Napier University (Scotland) with new mandatory quality assessments is examined, focusing on issues arising in the first two rounds of evaluation site visits, including defining quality; role of the lead evaluator; framework for the visit; role of the student; quality of the reports; and cost-benefit analysis. (MSE)

Discusses video teletraining as an alternative to traditional classroom education in terms of cost and program effectiveness; understanding the technology; support required to develop and deliver quality instruction; and the instructional design. (AEF)

A benefit-cost analysis was conducted to compare services for 11 individuals with severe mental retardation and challenging behaviors who had been moved from an institution to a community setting. Overall, the community-based program costs represented slight public savings over costs in the state institution. Less quantifiable benefits were also…

Describes a study of relationships among costs of child care, nature of children's child care experiences, and their effects on children. Findings in the areas of quality; costs, revenue, and support; sector comparisons; and economic environment reveal that most child care is mediocre in quality. Makes recommendations to improve child care. (BAC)

Welfare reform must include reform of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which is more costly and faster growing than Aid to Families with Dependent Children. SSI allows growing numbers of disabled citizens to depend on the government in spite of new employment opportunities for the disabled and protective legislation. (SLD)

These reflections by the authors of a paper (EC 611 427) on computer-assisted instruction of students with learning disabilities comment on their reanalysis of the research process and their interpretations of the unanticipated results. Implications for further research on the cost effectiveness of learning-strategy training versus time-on-task…